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TREAT YOURSELF TO LIFE: Understanding the Power of Spiritual Mind Treatment
This "mini-textbook" in mental science and in the philosophy and practice of the Science of Mind, which Dr. Barker taught so successfully in New York City for many years, continues to answer the need many feel for a short, to-the-point primer in basic, pr
120 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1960
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 24, 2021
There are lots of spiritual writers out there, some of them 'woowoo' and some down to earth. The late Raymond Charles Barker was among the best, because his writings about using spiritual treatment to improve the quality of your life--your health, your relationships, your career, your finances--are clear, concise, and convincing. That's why thousands of people attended his lectures in New York City and why his books--slim, easy to read, and to digest--are still read many years following his death. If fear is turning your life upside down, and you sincerely want to right your boat, find a copy of this book. I think you'll be glad you did.
June 9, 2016
While there are many books worth reading in the Self-help/New Age/Motivational/Law of Attraction genre, ‘Treat Yourself to Life’, by Raymond Charles Barker, is one of the best books I have had the pleasure of reading. While this book is Just over 100 pages long and being written in a very readable tone, it can be read in a very short time; however, in spite of the fact that you can zoom through the words, the information is very deep and empowering and you would likely gain a benefit from the wisdom every time you read the words on these pages. Of course, that is only IF you are willing to do some introspection and be honest with yourself because the premise of this book is that as we alter our conscious mind—what we think, say and feel—we alter our subconscious mind and how we relate to the physical universe around us.
In a nutshell, “The greatest single thing you can learn from this book is that you can change your subconscious through treatment and through changing your overall mental attitude we can change your life for the better.” And, in order to achieve this transformation, Raymond Charles Barker advocates a process that he calls ‘Treatment’, which is, ‘…using your conscious mind to select what you want and next directing your subconscious mind to bring this into objective experience… Treatment is the consistent repetition of a positive idea directed to your subconscious mind which is a part of the universal mind.’
Now, it is important to say here that ‘Treatment’ is not simply a process of using affirmations, nor is it prayer or meditation, the difference being, “Prayer indicates petition or asking…Meditation is the act of absorbing an idea, into consciousness. Meditation is a quiet, relaxed absorption of ideas. In prayer you beg for an idea. In meditation you absorb an idea. In treatment you project an idea…treatment is always a specific mental action to a definite end.
A treatment is nothing more or less than a directive action of the subconscious mind. The moment that will power enters in, it is no longer a spiritual treatment. It is then a human mind treatment, and a human mind treatment will do nothing but wear you out.” While this process of treatment might appear as a little abstract, or complex, Raymond Charles Barker does a fine job of making the concept understandable and usable. The essence eventually comes to this: “You look at your problems frankly, but refuse to accept the problem, and instead accept the solution… You must accept in the present what you want in the future. The present is cause and the future is effect. You will never experience the effect without thinking the cause. There is a mental law of giving and receiving. The ideas you give your subconscious today you receive as facts in your world tomorrow.”
Along this path of self-discovery you will also read ideas such as:
“You are in heaven to the extent that you are able to control your own consciousness. You do not experience heaven through a church, a religion or a book.”
“The average person has stopped his own prosperity because he has concluded that prosperity is money in the bank, or money in investments, instead of seeing prosperity as an inlet or an outlet of activity.”
“Examine the lives of most lonely people and you will find that they have nothing to give to their world but the past. They rarely discuss a novel or a current news item. Always they discuss the joys and sorrows of the past.”
“If you are going to get along with people, you will find that you have to take them as they are and not attempt to change them. The annoyance which appears should be handled at the time it appears. If you don’t like it, then move out of its influence, or move it out of your influence. Otherwise see it, handle it, and refuse to let it get under your skin.”
“The unguarded mind accepts rather than selects.”
If the above thoughts resonate with you, then you will likely find ‘Treat Yourself to Life’ to be a treasure trove of empowering ideas and insights. That being said, if you read this book with the intention of ‘fixing’ somebody else, or with the belief that ‘I know all this already’ then this will likely just be another book that will only superficially & temporarily improve your life. In the words of Raymond Barker himself, ‘Think good thoughts, yes, but realize that good thoughts on the surface with a nasty disposition below the surface are merely another coat of paint on the same old house. The fresh paint on the old house does not make it a new house; it merely makes it attractive. There are unfortunately a great many people with attractive surface attitudes but with the same old rubbish underneath.’
In a nutshell, “The greatest single thing you can learn from this book is that you can change your subconscious through treatment and through changing your overall mental attitude we can change your life for the better.” And, in order to achieve this transformation, Raymond Charles Barker advocates a process that he calls ‘Treatment’, which is, ‘…using your conscious mind to select what you want and next directing your subconscious mind to bring this into objective experience… Treatment is the consistent repetition of a positive idea directed to your subconscious mind which is a part of the universal mind.’
Now, it is important to say here that ‘Treatment’ is not simply a process of using affirmations, nor is it prayer or meditation, the difference being, “Prayer indicates petition or asking…Meditation is the act of absorbing an idea, into consciousness. Meditation is a quiet, relaxed absorption of ideas. In prayer you beg for an idea. In meditation you absorb an idea. In treatment you project an idea…treatment is always a specific mental action to a definite end.
A treatment is nothing more or less than a directive action of the subconscious mind. The moment that will power enters in, it is no longer a spiritual treatment. It is then a human mind treatment, and a human mind treatment will do nothing but wear you out.” While this process of treatment might appear as a little abstract, or complex, Raymond Charles Barker does a fine job of making the concept understandable and usable. The essence eventually comes to this: “You look at your problems frankly, but refuse to accept the problem, and instead accept the solution… You must accept in the present what you want in the future. The present is cause and the future is effect. You will never experience the effect without thinking the cause. There is a mental law of giving and receiving. The ideas you give your subconscious today you receive as facts in your world tomorrow.”
Along this path of self-discovery you will also read ideas such as:
“You are in heaven to the extent that you are able to control your own consciousness. You do not experience heaven through a church, a religion or a book.”
“The average person has stopped his own prosperity because he has concluded that prosperity is money in the bank, or money in investments, instead of seeing prosperity as an inlet or an outlet of activity.”
“Examine the lives of most lonely people and you will find that they have nothing to give to their world but the past. They rarely discuss a novel or a current news item. Always they discuss the joys and sorrows of the past.”
“If you are going to get along with people, you will find that you have to take them as they are and not attempt to change them. The annoyance which appears should be handled at the time it appears. If you don’t like it, then move out of its influence, or move it out of your influence. Otherwise see it, handle it, and refuse to let it get under your skin.”
“The unguarded mind accepts rather than selects.”
If the above thoughts resonate with you, then you will likely find ‘Treat Yourself to Life’ to be a treasure trove of empowering ideas and insights. That being said, if you read this book with the intention of ‘fixing’ somebody else, or with the belief that ‘I know all this already’ then this will likely just be another book that will only superficially & temporarily improve your life. In the words of Raymond Barker himself, ‘Think good thoughts, yes, but realize that good thoughts on the surface with a nasty disposition below the surface are merely another coat of paint on the same old house. The fresh paint on the old house does not make it a new house; it merely makes it attractive. There are unfortunately a great many people with attractive surface attitudes but with the same old rubbish underneath.’
February 11, 2019
“When you feel prosperous you have an open mind in which new ideas can operate.” This quote encapsulates why this book is worth a read. Originally written in 1954 Raymond Charles Barker describes what is called Spiritual Mind Treatment and why it can help us. Spiritual Mind Treatment is a spiritual practice, similar to prayer or meditation but different in that we say that what we want has already happened. You say it and you act on it.
The fact that Barker influenced Louis Hay who wrote “You Can Heal Your Life.” Is also another reason to read the book because her books are still being published today and have helped millions of people.
There are a few challenges though. It reads like it’s from 1954 (2nd edition 1988.) Language is not always clear and easy to read. Also, there’s an example in the beginning of a woman who heals somewhat miraculously. (And I just have a hard time believing in complete miracles)
All in all there are a lot of good, common examples of how we as people can limit ourselves from all the good that God (or the Universe) provides. I’m going to give Spiritual Mind Treatment a go and I’d like for some new, positive ideas to operate in my head.
The fact that Barker influenced Louis Hay who wrote “You Can Heal Your Life.” Is also another reason to read the book because her books are still being published today and have helped millions of people.
There are a few challenges though. It reads like it’s from 1954 (2nd edition 1988.) Language is not always clear and easy to read. Also, there’s an example in the beginning of a woman who heals somewhat miraculously. (And I just have a hard time believing in complete miracles)
All in all there are a lot of good, common examples of how we as people can limit ourselves from all the good that God (or the Universe) provides. I’m going to give Spiritual Mind Treatment a go and I’d like for some new, positive ideas to operate in my head.
September 29, 2014
One of my favorite founders of Religious Science so my review is biased-no doubt! He's practical & well balanced in this book, as always!
July 28, 2020
Loved it. The vocabulary is, of course, dated, but it's a great reminder of the way I see the universe.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews